Rule following in functional equivalence classes

Abstract

In Experiments 1 and 2 a match-to-sample procedure was used to establish the prerequisite conditional discriminations for two 3-member equivalence classes (A1, B1, C1 & A2, B2, C2) where stimuli A1 and A2 were written instructions. In Experiment 1 tests for transitivity confirmed the emergence of derived relations. Following this, an off-the-baseline test was given to verify the existence of functional equivalence classes. During off-the-baseline testing stimuli B and C from both classes controlled responding appropriate to the instructions contained in A1 and A2 respectively. In Experiment 2, the omission of tests for transitivity and the reversal of instructions contained in A1 and A2 did not impede the emergence of functional equivalence classes. In Experiment 3, classes A1, B1, C1 and E1, F1, G1 were linked via D1 to produce one class (A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1, G1); another two classes (A2, B2, C2 & E2, F2, G2) were linked with D2 to produce A2, B2, C2, D2, E2, F2, G2. The A and G stimuli in each class contained competing sets of instructions. When transformation of function was examined in the first class, the functions at C1 and E1 were controlled by the rules at A1 and G1 respectively; D1 controlled responding in accordance with the instructions at A1. Results from all experiments are discussed in the context of procedures designed to investigate transfer/transformation of function.